It is not necessary here to precisely delineate the "boundaries" of our traditional lands. Suffice to say that they stretch broadly from around Katherine to the south around Mataranka where it adjoins Yangman and Mangarrayi country; from the south-east and east to Ngalakan country; east and north-east to Mainoru to Ngalkbon country; north-east and north to Mayali country at the headwaters of the Mary, Katherine and South Alligator Rivers; north towards Pine Creek where it adjoins Wagiman lands; and north-west and west to Wardaman country.

In pre-contact times, the upper Katherine River and the general locality of what is now the Katherine township were a focus of our country. This remains the case today.

Map showing the broad area of Jawoyn Lands. (There are no precise boundaries.)

A Minority in Our Own Land
Our people are a minority in our own land in two senses. Firstly, successive waves of non-Aboriginal migration into our lands have been at the expense of Aboriginal people. As at the 1991 Census, Aboriginal people made up 2,319 or just under 20 per cent of the 12,042 people living in what might broadly be termed 'Jawoyn land'.

Secondly, the location of Katherine as a focus for administrative and economic activities in the region has brought a permanent influx of non-Jawoyn Aboriginal people onto our lands. As well as groups with whom we enjoy ritual and social relationships (e.g. Ngalkbon, Mayali, Wardaman Rembarrnga and Mangarrayi people), the Jawoyn now share their land with many other Aboriginal groups and individuals.

Obviously the 1991 Census did not ask for Aboriginal affiliations as such but it can be fairly assumed by analyzing age group structures that as little as 7% of the total population on our lands are Jawoyn people. This may amount to as few as about 900 Jawoyn among an estimated 38% Aboriginal sector of the total population. This numerical situation has been deteriorating markedly over the last decade. In Katherine alone the general population rose by 65 per cent between 1986 and 1991.

This numerical situation has been deteriorating markedly over the last decade. In Katherine alone the general population rose by 65% between 1986 and 1991 and the vast majority has been among the non-Aboriginal population in the region. Although there was a sharp rise in the overall number of Aboriginal residents in Katherine township itself over that period (69%), the overall Aboriginal population growth on Jawoyn lands was only 2%.